Device for cutting and forming slot insulation materials



April 10, 1956 w. F. WEIRICH ETAL DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND FORMING SLOT INSULATION MATERIALS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 18, 1950 14 rrzega April 10, 1956 w. F. WEIRICH EI'AL 2,741,166

DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND FORMING SLOT INSULATION MATERIALS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May'lS, 1950 miiww i Ml ii wl QM Aw m April 10, 1956 w. F. WEIRlCH ETAL 2,741,165

DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND FORMING SLOT INSULATION MATERIALS Original Filed May 18, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent DEVICE FGR CUTTING AND FORMING SLUT INSULATION iVlATERIALS William F. Weirich, Philadelphia, and Henry Weirich, Lenni, Pa.

Original application May 18, 1950, Serial No. 1552,646. Divided and this application July 15, 1952, Serial No. 298,892

Claims. (Cl. 93-1) This invention relates to a novel device for cutting and forming slot insulation members to be used in the winding slots of electrical machines such as electric motors. As formed by our novel device, such members are cut to size and are creased so that they may be easily inserted in the winding slots of a machine.

This application is a division of our prior application Serial No. 162,646, filed May 18, 1950, now U. S. Patent No. 2,675,873.

Qne object of the invention is to provide a simple, highly efiicient and easily operable device for cutting and forming such creased members from a band or strip of material.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device having provisions for adjustment to vary the size of the cut members at will and also to vary the location of the crease or creases therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character wherein the parts are readily removable for replacement.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows.

It is the practice to supply slot insulation material to users in band or strip form and in a roll. The rolled band is composed of special paper having substantial stifiness, and the band has its longitudinal edges turned or folded inwardly to provide longitudinal side flanges. In the past, it has been necessary for the user to cut successive pieces carefully from the band or strip and then carefully fit each cut piece to the winding slot in which it is to be used, it being necessary to crease the piece so that it will seat in the slot and form an insulating liner therein. This has been a cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive procedure, not to mention possible inaccuracy of the manual operations involved.

By the present invention, there is provided a novel device which is easily operable and which is adapted to cut and form successive members from a band or strip accurately and rapidly. The device supplies these members properly creased to fit the winding slots, and the user has only to insert the members in the slots. The device effects great saving in time, energy and cost of producing such members from the band or strip material.

The invention may be fully'understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein thereis illustrated a preferred embodiment and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a miniature perspective view showing the device in operation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device, substantially on full scale;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

.Fig. 6 is a similar fragmentary sectional view showing the movable knife-carrying 'member in operative position;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view taken fromthe lefthand end of the device as it appears inFig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view taken from the opposite end of the device;

Fig. 9 is a similar view, showing the movable member in operative position;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view taken from the left side in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the band or strip from which the slot insulation members are formed, showing the strip following a cutting and creasing operation and prior to the next operation; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the slot insulation members.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is provided a supporting base structure, designated generally by reference character 1, which is adapted to receive a band or strip of material for the cutting and forming of slot insulation members as hereinafter described. This supporting structure preferably is of generally rectangular shape, as may be seen in Fig. 2, and it is adapted to be disposed horizontally. In the form illustrated, the structure comprises a table portion 2 and depending sides 3 and 4 (Figs. 7 and 8) which may have attachment lugs 5 and 6, adapted to rest on a horizontal surface such as indicated at 7. The lugs 5 and 6 may be provided with apertures, as shown in Fig. 2, to receive fastening screws or the like for anchorage of the device.

The sides 3 and 4 extend beyond the table portion 2, and at the extended ends of the sides there is provided a knife element 3 (Figs. 5 and 8) which may be in the form of a separate element removably secured to said ends by means of screws 9. The upper edge of element 8, as may be seen in Fig. 5, is formed to provide a knife edge 10 which extends fully across the end of the supporting base structure. In spaced relation to the knife element 8 and to each other are two creasing elements 11 and 12 (Fig. 5) which are parallel to the associated knife element and which also extend the full width of the supporting base structure. These elements are provided with blunt upper edges 13 and 14 respectively, and their purpose is to crease the tape or strip transversely thereof during operation of the device as hereinafter described. These creasing elements are adjustably supported on the base structure so that they are individually adjustable.

As may be seen in Fig. 5, the creasing element 11 is secured, for example by welding, to a supporting plate 15, and the creasing element 12 is similarly secured to a supporting plate 16. As may be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the supporting base structure has a pair of side shoulders 17a and 17b, and each of the creasing elements 11 and 12 has side extensions 18a and 18b which slidabiy rest on said shoulders. To assure seating of the extensions on the shoulders, a screw 1? (Fig. 5) depends from table 2 to prevent upward movement of the upper plate 16, and a screw 15a extends upward from plate 15 to prevent the latter from rising. The supporting plates 15 and 16 for the creasing elements extend toward the opposite end of the device, and these plates carry laterally-extending threaded members 2%) and 21 (Fig. 2) respectively through which screws 22 and 23 extend. At their inner unthreaded ends, the screws are rotatably supported by brackets 24 and 2S, and at their outer ends, the screws carry knurled heads 26 and 27 fixed thereon by which the screws may be manually turned, although there is no longitudinal movement of either screw. As shown in Fig. 7, the side of plate 15 opposite the member 20 is slidably supported in a recess of bracket 25. The side of plate 16 opposite member 21 likewise is slidably supported in a recess of bracket 24. Springs 28 and 29 are anchored to a fixed bolt 30 on the base structure and engage the plates 15 and 16 at 31 and 32, respectively. These 'spr ings may be parts of a single spring member or they may be two separate springs. They serve to urge the respective creasing elements and their supporting plates rearwardly, while the threaded nut-like elements 29 and 21 on the supporting plates establish the respective positions of the plates, and hence the positions of the creasing elements 11 and 12. By rotating the screws 22 and 23 through the medium of the knurled heads 26 and 27, the creasing elements are individually adjustable in relation to each other and to the fixed knife element 8.

The table portion 2 (Fig. 2) of the supporting base provides a horizontal surface along which the band or strip, shown at 33, may be moved. At one side of the table surface, there is provided a fixed guide 34 which is removably secured to the supporting structure by means of screws 35. Trausversely of the table portion 2 is a slot 36 through which a bolt 37 extends, the latter being provided with a wing nut 38. An adjustable guide 39 is movable transversely of the table portion 2 and is held in any position of adjustment by means of the bolt 37 which extends through said guide. The two guides 34 and 39 serve to guide the band or strip 33 in proper relation to the cutting and creasing elements during the operation of the device as hereinafter described. v

As may be seen in Figs. 2 and 5, at one side of the supporting base structure in cooperative relation with the knife element 8 and the creasing elements 11 and 12, there is provided an arm 40 which is pivoted on the extended side 4 by means of a pivot pin 41 and which extends beyond the knife element 8. This arm carries a stop '42 which is adjustably supported on the arm by means of a yoke 43 and an associated wing screw 44-. The arm 40 is provided with a recess or slot 45 along its inner side to receive the band or strip 33 which abuts against the stop 42. At the mouth end of the slot 45, there is an upwardly turned finger 46 (Fig. to insure entrance of one edge of the band or strip 33 into said slot. The purpose of the stop 42 is to stop the band or strip in proper position so that a certain length thereof will be cut during each operation of the device. The arm 40 is urged inwardly by means of a spring 47 (see Fig. 5) which is wound about a pin 48 supported by the extended side 4, one end of the spring being turned as at 4-9 to engage said side, and the other end of the spring extending into an aperture in'the arm 42 as at 59. The spring urges the arm 46 inwardly to its operative position, as shown in Fig. 2, against the associated knife element and creasing elements. However, the arm is deflectible outwardly, against the action of the spring, as indicated by the dot-and-dash representation in Fig. 2. To this end, the arm 49 is provided with an upwardly projecting cone element 51, the function of which will be explained presently. The reason for the outward defiectibility of the arm 4t) is to enable the cut pieceof the band or strip 53 to fall freely after the cutting thereof.

l-iingedly mounted on the supporting base structure is a transverse member 52 (Figs. '2 and 8) which is hinged at the side of said structure opposite the side at which the arm 49 is mounted. As may be seen in Fig. 2, there are provided spaced bearing supports 53 and 54 which are secured to the base structure 1, for example by being welded thereto. These supports rotatably support a rod r shaft 55 to which the member 52 is secured, for example by welding attachment. The shaft 55 extends beyond support 53 and carries an end plate or disk 56 ecured by a screw 57. A helical spring 58 surrounds the shaft 55 and its ends abut against the bearing support 53 and the end plate 56. This spring takes up any lengthwise play of the shaft and insures good cooperation between the knife elements which sever or shear theband or'strip 33. The hinged member 52 carries a knife element 59 which is removably secured to said member by.

screws 69. This knife element has 2. depending knife edge 61 (see Fig. 5) which cooperates with the knife edge of the stationary knife element 3. Also mounted on the member 52 is a resilient pad 62 which serves, during operation of the device (Fig. 6), to press the band or strip against the creasing edges 13 and 14-. The pad 62 may be formed of rubber, and it may be secured in any suitable manner, for example by cementing it to a facing plate 62a fastened to member 52 by screws. it should be noted that the resilient pad enables the creasing edges to perform their creasing function.

At the end of the transverse member 52 opposite the hinge mounting thereof, there is provided an extension 63 to which a pair of arms 6 and 65 are pivoted at 66. Secured to the arms 64, 65, as by welding, is a handle 67 which is preferably provided with a knob 68. Pivotally secured to arms 64, 65 are a pair of arms 69 and 7% which carry a roller 71 (Figs. 8 and 10) adapted to engage a hook 72 projecting from the extended side 4. A retaining cylinder 73 is eccentrically mounted on a projecting screw pin 74 below hook 72, and a spring 75 surrounds said pin and is disposed in a recess in the cylininder 73, this spring urging the cylinder into firm engagement with the side of the supporting base. A recess 76 in the base and a cooperating detent 77 on the cylinder 73 serve to establish the operative position of the cylinder. By pulling the cylinder outward against the action of spring 75 sufficiently to remove detent 77 from recess 76, the eccentrically mounted cylinder may be rotated to permit removal of the roller '71 from under the hook 72. This permits the hinged member 52 to be moved out of the way whenever it is desired to adjust the elements on the supporting base structure.

During operation of the device, the roller 71 is held beneath the hook 72, and the movable member 52 is actuated by manipulation of the handle. During closing movement of the member 52, the handle 67 is swung inwardly and is brought down against a cushion stop 78 which is mounted on top of the member 52, as may be clearly seen in Figs. 8 and 9. Such movement of the handle causes lowering of the knife element 59. Reverse movement of the handle causes raising of said knife element.

Referring particularly to the cutting and creasing operation, a previously creased portion of the band or strip 33 is severed, and at the same time the adjacent portion of the band is creased. With the hinged member 52 in raised position, the operator moves the band or strip 33 until its end abuts against the stop 42, and then actuates the handle 57 to effect downward movement of member 52. As this member lowers, the knife elements 8 and 59 sever the projecting portion of the band, and at the same time the creasing elements 11 and 12 function to crease the portion of the band which is next to be severed. Fig. 11 shows a portion of the band or strip 33 with creases 79 and 80 formed therein, and with the line of the next cut indicated at 81. Fig. 12 shows one of the slot insulation members 82 formed by the device, said member having transverse creases 79 and 80 therein.

As mentioned above, the stop-carrying arm 40 is defiectible to permit each cut member to fall freely. As shown in Fig. 8, the movable knife member 59 is beveled at 33 for engagement with the cone element 52.

After the severing operation is completed, the portion t3 of the movable knife element engages the cone 51 to cam the arm 40 outwardly to a position such as shown in dotand-dash outline inFig. 2. This frees the cut portion of the tape or strip, permitting it to fall. As the movable knife element 59 is raised, the arm 40 is permitted to return to its operative position under the impetus of its biasing spring 47.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description, that the device is fully adjustable so that it may be used to produce. slot insulation members of different sizes and with the creases properly located therein. With the de- 7 vice adjusted for the production of slot insulation'members of .a particular size, the operator may actuate the device very rapidly to produce such members at a high rate.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that the invention is not limited thereto but is capable of various modifications, especially with respect to structural details. a

We claim:

1. A hand-operated device for creasing and cutting successive sections from a band or strip of insulation material to form slot insulation members, comprising a supporting structure having a table portion over which said band may be moved, a stationary transverse knife ele ment mounted at the discharge end of said structure, a pair of transverse creasing elements mounted on said structure ahead of and in proximity to said knife element, guide means on said table portion to guide said band in proper relation to said elements, a member hinged to a side of said supporting structure in cooperative relation with said elements, a handle on said member for operating the same, a knife element on said member cooperative with said first knife element to cut successive sections from said band, and a resilient pad on said member for pressing said hand against said creasing elements to crease a section of said band while a previously-creased section is being cut from the band.

2. A device according to claim 1, including means mounting said creasing elements for individual adjustment to vary their spacing relative to each other and to said knife element.

3. A device according to claim 2, including side rails on the supporting structure on which said stationary knife element and said creasing elements are mounted.

4. A device according to claim 3, including a pair of adjustable members disposed below said table portion and connected respectively to said creasing elements, and manual means for adjusting each of said members to thereby adjust each of said creasing elements.

5. A device according to claim 4, including spring means to urge each of said members in one direction, and an adjustment screw operatively connected to each of said members.

Reierences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 267,849 Elmer Nov. 21, 1882 631,392 Binder Aug. 22, 1899 657,418 Inman Sept. 4, 1900 1,772,785 Smith Aug. 12, 1930 2,595,325 Baumgartner May 6, 1952 

